Hotel asylum seeker who sexually assaulted 15-year-old girl even after she told him her age is jailed for 15 weeks

A hotel-dwelling asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl has been jailed for 15 weeks.

Taha Derwish approached a group of teenage girls walking on Nantwich Road in Crewe on September 24 last year.

He proceeded to make several unwanted advances towards the girls, Cheshire Police said.

The 26-year-old then inappropriately touched one of them on the bottom, despite being told they were only 15 years old.

He was swiftly arrested within 10 minutes after police were alerted to his behaviour.

When Derwish first appeared in court in September 2025, it was heard that he was appealing a refused asylum application and had been staying at the Royal Hotel in Crewe. 

Detective Sergeant George Booth said: 'Firstly, I would like to commend the girls involved in this incident, who were understandably left shaken and upset by Derwish's actions.

'They trusted their instincts, recognised that his behaviour was completely unacceptable, and contacted police immediately.

'Their swift actions allowed officers to attend the scene and arrest Derwish within minutes of receiving the call.

'I hope this result reassures them that they did the right thing by coming forward and that reports of this nature are always taken seriously.

'Women and girls should be free to go about their daily lives without fearing for their safety.

'Let me be clear, this behaviour has no place in our communities, and anyone who causes others to fear violence or intimidation can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly.'